Dimming mirror with blind zone sub-mirror and indicator

ABSTRACT

A rearview mirror system comprises a spotter mirror for providing an image of an object in a vehicle&#39;s blind zone to the vehicle&#39;s operator. A recognition enhancement device is provided with the spotter mirror for drawing the attention of the driver to the spotter mirror when an overtaking vehicle enters the driver&#39;s blind zone. The signaling display is activated by a sensing system which senses the presence of the overtaking vehicle in the blind zone. An electrochromic element is incorporated into the spotter mirror to reduce the intensity of light transmitted from the object and reflected from the spotter mirror. Activation of the electrochromic element to darken the spotter mirror will induce the operator to observe the object in the spotter mirror.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisionalapplications Serial Nos. 60/319,545, filed Sep. 12, 2002, and60/319,638, filed Oct. 21, 2002, which are incorporated herein in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to mirrors for automotive vehicles. In oneaspect, the invention relates to a mirror with a blind zone sub-mirrorassociated with a recognition enhancement device initiated by thedetection of an overtaking vehicle entering the vehicle operator's blindzone. In another aspect, the invention relates to a recognitionenhancement device initiated by the detection of an overtaking vehicleentering the vehicle operator's blind zone which induces the operator tomonitor the blind zone sub-mirror. In another aspect, the inventionrelates to a dimming mirror with an automatically dimming blind zonesub-mirror.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] The operator of a motor vehicle which is being overtaken by asecond motor vehicle will typically be unable to observe the position ofthe overtaking vehicle once that vehicle enters the operator's “blindzone.” A collision between the two vehicles can occur when the vehiclebeing overtaken moves into the path of the overtaking vehicle becausethe operator is unaware of the presence of the overtaking vehicle in theoperator's blind zone. Rearview mirrors are thus frequently providedwith a small spotter mirror incorporated into the rearview mirrorassembly, particularly for use with larger vehicles such as pickuptrucks and SUVs. The spotter mirror eliminates much or all of the “blindspot” experienced by a driver using a rearview mirror assembly withoutthe spotter mirror. Typically, the spotter mirror comprises a convexmirror element which is mounted to the outer glass portion of therearview mirror assembly.

[0006] Sensing and signaling devices have also been developed which arecapable of detecting the presence of a vehicle in an operator's blindzone and alerting the operator to that vehicle through a visual or audiosignal. However, although the operator may be alerted to the presence ofthe overtaking vehicle, the vehicle will not appear in the rearviewmirror of the vehicle being overtaken if it is in the operator's blindzone. Thus, unless the rearview mirror incorporates a spotter mirror,the operator must maintain his or her vehicle's position in the roadwayuntil the overtaking vehicle enters the field of view in the rearviewmirror, or the operator must look rearward to determine the position ofthe overtaking vehicle, thereby taking his or her eyes off the road.Even with a spotter mirror, the driver may fail to utilize the spottermirror, or may not be sufficiently alerted to the necessity of using thespotter mirror, and a collision may ensue with a vehicle in theoperator's blind zone.

[0007] Prior art spotter mirrors also suffer from another limitation.Light impinging on the spotter mirror element from behind the vehicle,particularly during nighttime driving, can become distorted andreflected to the driver in such a way that the image from the rearviewmirror is distorted or otherwise adversely affected, thereby reducingthe effectiveness and safety features of the rearview mirror.Furthermore, the intensity of the light reflected from the spottermirror element will often compel the operator to direct his or her eyesaway from the rearview mirror, further reducing the effectiveness of therearview mirror.

[0008] Rearview mirrors can be provided with an automatically dimmingfeature which reduces the reflected glare from light, particularlyvehicle headlamps. This automatically dimming feature typicallycomprises a light-reactive electrochromic layer interposed between twomirror glasses to form a sandwich structure. When bright light isdetected by the electrochromic layer, the electrochromic layer darkensto dim the mirror. However, a spotter mirror attached to the exterior ofthe mirror glass will not be affected by the darkening of theelectrochromic layer. Thus, the spotter mirror will reflect light from aheadlamp to the vehicle operator with no reduction in intensity.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0009] In one aspect, the invention relates to a vehicular rearviewmirror system for indicating to a vehicle operator the detection of anobject in the vehicle's blind zone comprises a first reflective elementfor providing the operator with a rearward view, a second reflectiveelement associated with the first reflective element that is adapted toprovide an image to the operator of the object in the vehicle's blindzone adjacent to the rearward view which is not generally observable bythe operator in the rearward view, and a recognition enhancement deviceassociated with at least the second reflective element for enhancing theoperator's recognition of the object in the vehicle's blind zone,wherein the recognition enhancement device is actuated upon detection ofthe object in the vehicle's blind zone to effectively draw theoperator's visual attention to the second reflective element.

[0010] The recognition enhancement device can comprise a transmissiondevice for transmitting into the blind zone a signal adapted forreflection from the object. The signal can comprise one of an infrared,optical, radar, sonar or ultrasonic signal. The recognition enhancementdevice can also comprise a sensing element for sensing the signalreflected from an object in the blind zone or a signaling device.

[0011] The signaling device can comprise at least one point-type light,at least one incandescent light, at least one light-emitting diode, orat least one illuminated signal marker. The at least one illuminatedsignal marker can comprise at least one incandescent light, or at leastone light-emitting diode.

[0012] The signaling device can also comprise at least one remotedisplay. The at least one remote display can comprise a camera adaptedto capture an image of the object in the vehicle's blind zone and one ofa cathode ray-type television monitor, a liquid crystal display, or aplasma display for displaying the image of the object.

[0013] The signaling device can comprise at least one peripheral signallight extending along the periphery of the second reflective element.The at least one peripheral signal light can comprise at least oneincandescent light, or at least one light-emitting diode.

[0014] The signaling device can also comprise a numerical display forindicating the distance separating the vehicle from the object. Thenumerical display can comprise at least one incandescent light, or atleast one light-emitting diode.

[0015] The signaling device can also comprise at least one peripheralsignal light extending along the periphery of the first reflectiveelement. The at least one peripheral signal light can comprise at leastone incandescent light, or at least one light-emitting diode.

[0016] The recognition enhancement device can also comprise anelectrochromic layer adapted to reduce the intensity of lighttransmitted from the object and reflected from the second reflectiveelement. The electrochromic layer can be adapted to darken upondetecting light from the object, or adapted to reduce the intensity oflight reflected from both the first reflective element and the secondreflective element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] In the drawings:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an automotive vehiclehaving a rearview mirror system according to the invention.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a close-up perspective view of an embodiment of therearview mirror system of FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a close-up perspective view of the interior of therearview mirror system of FIG. 1 showing a multi-element reflectiveelement assembly comprising an automatically dimming spotter mirror.

[0021]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the reflective element assembly ofFIG. 3 showing the spotter mirror.

[0022]FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the spotter mirror of FIG. 4.

[0023]FIG. 5B is a side elevational view of the spotter mirror of FIG.4.

[0024]FIG. 5C is a front elevational view of the spotter mirror of FIG.4.

[0025]FIG. 6 is a close-up perspective view of an alternate embodimentof the rearview mirror system of FIG. 1 showing the blind zone spottermirror and a sensing element incorporated therein comprising elements ofa recognition enhancement device according to the invention.

[0026]FIG. 7 is an overhead view of a first vehicle being overtaken by asecond vehicle which has entered the first vehicle's blind zone.

[0027]FIG. 8 is an overhead view of the second vehicle of FIG. 7 beingdetected by the recognition enhancement device of FIG. 6 comprising aportion of the rearview mirror system of the first vehicle.

[0028]FIG. 9A is a close-up view of an alternate embodiment of therecognition enhancement device of FIG. 6.

[0029]FIG. 9B is a close-up view of the rearview mirror system of FIG.9A activated by a vehicle entering the blind zone.

[0030]FIG. 10A is a close-up view of an alternate embodiment of therecognition enhancement device of FIG. 6.

[0031]FIG. 10B is a close-up view of the rearview mirror system of FIG.10A activated by a vehicle entering the blind zone.

[0032]FIG. 11A is a close-up view of an alternate embodiment of therecognition enhancement device of FIG. 6.

[0033]FIG. 11B is a close-up view of the rearview mirror system of FIG.11A activated by a vehicle entering the blind zone.

[0034]FIG. 12A is a close-up view of an alternate embodiment of therecognition enhancement device of FIG. 6.

[0035]FIG. 12B is a close-up view of the rearview mirror system of FIG.12A activated by a vehicle entering the blind zone.

[0036]FIG. 13A is a close-up view of an alternate embodiment of therecognition enhancement device of FIG. 6.

[0037]FIG. 13B is a close-up view of the rearview mirror system of FIG.13A activated by a vehicle entering the blind zone.

[0038]FIG. 14A is a close-up view of an alternate embodiment of therecognition enhancement device of FIG. 6.

[0039]FIG. 14B is a close-up view of the rearview mirror system of FIG.14A activated by a vehicle entering the blind zone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, a rearview mirror system 10 according to theinvention is installed on an automotive vehicle 12 on or near the frontof the driver's side door. An identical mirror system can be similarlymounted to the vehicle 12 on the passenger's side. The description ofthe structure and operation of the mirror system presented hereinafterwill be equally applicable to both mirror systems.

[0041] As shown also in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rearview mirror system 10comprises several elements of a well-known rearview mirror assembly,including a shell 14 and a reflective element assembly 20, which aremounted to the vehicle 12 in a generally conventional manner through abase 16 and a mounting frame 18.

[0042] The reflective element assembly 20 comprises a multi-componentmirror system. Referring to FIG. 4, the reflective element assembly 20comprises a reflective element carrier 30 and a spotter mirror 50. Thereflective element carrier 30 is a generally plate-like structure havinga reflective element face 32 and a mounting face 34. The perimeter ofthe reflective element carrier 30 is adapted so that the reflectiveelement carrier 30 will fit closely within the shell 14. The reflectiveelement assembly 20 can also comprise an inner glass 60, anelectrochromic layer 70, and an outer glass 80 assembled into a“sandwiched” structure. Additional elements (not shown) can selectivelyinclude a heater/defroster element, turn signals, puddle lights, and thelike.

[0043] Depending orthogonally from the reflective element face 32 is anirregularly-shaped perimetric pocket wall 36 which terminates in apocket floor 38 in spaced-apart juxtaposition with the reflectiveelement face 32 to define a spotter mirror pocket 40. The pocket wall 36is adapted to correspond with the shape of the spotter mirror 50 forcooperative register of the spotter mirror 50 in the spotter mirrorpocket 40. Extending orthogonally upwardly from the reflective elementface 32 is a perimeter wall 42 which together form a mirror receptacle44.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 5A-C, in the preferred embodiment the spottermirror 50 is an irregularly-shaped piece having a rear face 52 and afront face 54. Alternatively, the spotter mirror 50 can have a regularshape such as a circular or rectilinear configuration. In the preferredembodiment, the rear face 52 comprises a concave surface and the frontface 54 comprises a flat surface. A reflective layer 56 extends over therear face 52 to form a convex mirror for light passing through thespotter mirror 50 from the front face 54 to impinge on the reflectivelayer 56. Alternatively, the rear face 52 can be planar with a pixelatedor faceted surface to provide the same light-reflecting characteristicsas a convex mirrored surface. The spotter mirror 50 is adapted to fitclosely in the spotter mirror pocket 40 so that the front face 54 iscoplanar with the reflective element face 32.

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 6, an embodiment of the rearview mirrorsystem 10 comprises a reflective element 120, a spotter mirror 122, anda recognition enhancement device 126 (FIGS. 9A-14B) for detecting andsignaling the presence of an overtaking vehicle entering the blind zoneof the vehicle 12. The recognition enhancement device as shown in FIG. 6comprises a sensing element 124, as more fully described herein, and asignal light 146. The sensing element 124 is shown incorporated into theshell 14 in proximity to the base 16. Alternatively, the sensing element124 can be incorporated into the rearview mirror system 10 at otherlocations on or in the shell 14, or placed on or in other vehiclesurfaces, such as quarter panels, bumpers, fenders, etc. appropriate toits function of detecting the presence of a vehicle in the operator'sblind zone. The sensing element 124 can comprise part of a detection andsignaling system based on any of a number of well-known technologies,such as infrared, optical, radar, sonar or ultrasonic. The signal lightis shown incorporated into the spotter mirror 122.

[0046]FIG. 7 shows the vehicle 12 being overtaken by a second vehicle130 which has entered the blind zone of the vehicle 12, shown as theshaded area identified by the numeral 132. During the time that thesecond vehicle 130 is in the blind zone 132, the operator of the vehicle12 will be unable to observe the second vehicle 130 with the insiderearview mirror, the outside rearview mirror system, or peripheralvision. A spotter mirror, such as the spotter mirror 122 shown in FIG.6, enables the operator to observe the second vehicle 130. However, theoperator must purposefully monitor the spotter mirror in order toobserve the second vehicle 130. The operation of the sensing element124, in combination with signaling devices hereinafter described, suchas the signal light 146, will alert the operator to the presence of thesecond vehicle 130 and will direct the operator's attention to thespotter mirror 122 in which an image of the vehicle 130 can be observed.

[0047] Side and rear object detection systems for motor vehicles arewell-known in the art and are suitable for the detection and signalingsystem discussed herein as the concept described herein relates to theplacement of the signaling device and not to the particular type ofdetection system employed. Referring now to FIG. 8, a generallyconventional side object detection system detects a vehicle 130 in theoperator's blind zone by use of, e.g., an infrared, radar, sonar orultrasonic transmission and reception device in a manner well-known inthe art. The side object detection system operates by transmitting asignal, identified in FIG. 8 by the numeral 134, rearward of the vehicleinto the operator's blind zone. This signal 134 can be transmitted intothe blind zone through a suitable transmitter placed at a suitablelocation on or in the vehicle 12, such as the shell 14. If a secondvehicle 130 has entered the blind zone, the signal 134 will be reflectedback toward the vehicle 12 (the reflected signal is identified in FIG. 8by the numeral 136) to be sensed by the sensing element 124.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 9A-14B, the recognition enhancement device 126comprises a well-known signal transmission device (not shown), thesensing element 124, a controller 140, one or more signaling or displaydevices 146, 150, 152, 154, 158, 162, 164, and connecting electricalleads 142, 144, 156. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 9A-14B operate in agenerally similar fashion. The presence of a vehicle 130 in the blindzone 132 activates the recognition enhancement device 126 when areflected signal 136 from the vehicle 130 is received by the sensingelement 124. An electrical signal is sent from the sensing element 124to the controller 140, which in turn sends a signal to the signaling ordisplay device 122, 158. The signaling or display device 122, 158 alertsthe operator to the presence of the vehicle 130 in the blind zone 132.The operator then observes an image 148 of the vehicle 130 in thespotter mirror 122 or the display device 158.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 9A, the sensing element 124 is electricallyconnected to a controller 140 through a suitable sensing lead 142. Thecontroller 140 is a generally conventional computer-based controllersuitable for processing electrical input signals and generatingfunctional output signals in response thereto. The controller 140 isconnected through a suitable signaling lead 144 to a signal light 146.The signal light 146 is shown in FIG. 9A as a single point-type lightmounted in or behind a corner of the spotter mirror 122, although itwill be understood, as illustrated in FIGS. 10A-14B, that the signallight 146 may be replaced with different embodiments of a signalingelement. In the absence of a signal from the controller 140, the signallight 146 remains inoperative, as shown in FIG. 9A. Referring to FIG.9B, when a vehicle enters the blind zone 132, the reflected signal 136will be sensed by the sensing element 124, which will then send anelectrical signal through the sensing lead 142 to the controller 140.The controller 140 will then respond by sending an electrical currentthrough the signaling lead 144 to the signal light 146 therebyilluminating the signal light 146. The controller 140 can be programmedto provide an electrical current that is constant, thereby providing aconstant illumination of the signal light 146, or intermittent, therebycausing the signal light 146 to flash intermittently. The illuminationof the signal light 146 will draw the operator's attention to thespotter mirror 122 where the image 148 of the overtaking vehicle 130 canbe observed. The illumination of the signal light 146 can also beaccompanied by an audio signal from a suitable audio transmitter locatedinside the vehicle to further alert the operator to the need to monitorthe spotter mirror 122.

[0050] Referring now to FIG. 9A, an embodiment of the invention is shownin which a point-type signal light 146 is mounted in the upper insidecorner of the spotter mirror 122. The signal light 146 is operablyconnected through an electrical signaling lead 144 to the controller140, which is in turn connected through an electrical sensing lead 142to the sensing element 124. As shown in FIG. 9B, when a vehicle 130enters the blind zone 132, the sensing element 124 will receive thesignal 136 from the vehicle 130. This will be transmitted to thecontroller 140 which will then send a signal through the signaling lead144 to the signal light 146 which will operate to alert the driver tothe presence of the vehicle 130 in the blind zone 132. The driver'sattention will thus be drawn to the spotter mirror 122 in which an image148 of the vehicle 130 will be observed.

[0051]FIG. 10A shows an embodiment comprising an alternativeconfiguration of signal lights. In this embodiment, signal markers 150,similar to those utilized for mirror-integrated turn signals, are placedon either side of the spotter mirror 122. As shown in FIG. 10B, in amanner similar to that shown in FIG. 9B, the presence of a vehicle 130in the blind zone 132 will initiate the activation of the signal markers150, alerting the driver to the presence of the vehicle 148 and drawingthe driver's attention to the spotter mirror 122.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the signaling light can comprise aperipheral signal light 152 placed along the periphery of the spottermirror 122. The presence of a vehicle 130 in the blind zone 132 willinitiate the activation of the peripheral signal light 152, therebyframing the image 148 of the vehicle 130 in the spotter mirror 122.

[0053]FIGS. 12A and 12B show an embodiment that replaces the spottermirror 122 with a remote display 158 receiving visual transmissions froma small camera element 154 incorporated into the rearview mirror system10. The remote display 158 can comprise a well-known cathode ray-typetelevision monitor, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or thelike. The sensing element 124 is electrically connected to thecontroller 140 through the sensing lead 142. Preferably, the cameraelement 154 is mounted behind the reflective element 120 within theshell 14, with the reflective element 120 adapted so that the cameraelement 154 has an unobstructed view of the blind zone 132. Thecontroller 140 is electrically connected to the camera element 154through the signaling lead 144, and the camera element 154 is operablyconnected to a display element 158 through an image lead 156. Thedisplay element 158 can be mounted at appropriate location within thevehicle, or can be incorporated into the rearview mirror system 10. Thepresence of the overtaking vehicle 130 in the blind zone 132 will besensed by the sensor 124, which will send a signal to the controller140. The controller 140 will then send a signal to the camera element154 which will begin operation and will receive an image of the vehicle130, represented by the image vector 160. The camera element 154transmission will be sent to the display element 158 where the image 148will be displayed. Alternatively, the image from the camera element 154can be projected onto the windshield utilizing conventional “heads-updisplay” (HUD) technology.

[0054]FIGS. 13A and 13B show yet another embodiment in which the spottermirror 122 is provided with a numerical display 162. When the overtakingvehicle 130 enters the blind zone 132, the display is activated asheretofore described with numerical information, such as the distance ofthe overtaking vehicle 130 from a preselected reference point on thevehicle 12. The numerical information can be displayed as a continuousor blinking indicator.

[0055]FIGS. 14A and 14B show another embodiment of the invention inwhich signal lights 164 are incorporated into the shell 14 adjacent thespotter mirror 122. The signal lights 164 will be activated when anovertaking vehicle 130 enters the blind zone 132 as previouslydescribed. The signal lights 164 are shown in FIGS. 14A and B asgenerally elongated lighting elements. However, the signal lights 164can assume any appropriate preselected shape, including a mixture ofshapes appropriate for drawing the driver's attention to the spottermirror 122.

[0056] Referring again to FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment of therecognition enhancement device is shown which will induce the operatorto observe an object in the spotter mirror during nighttime driving. Therecognition enhancement device comprises the inner glass 60, theelectrochromic layer 70, and the outer glass 80. The inner glass 60 is agenerally plate-like, irregularly-shaped piece of transparent materialsuch as glass or clear plastic adapted to fit closely within the mirrorreceptacle 44. The inner glass 60 has a rear face 62, a front face 64,and a perimeter edge 66. A reflective layer 67 extends over the rearface 62 to form a mirror for light passing through the inner glass 60,the electrochromic layer 70, and the outer glass 80 to impinge on thereflective layer 67, except for a spotter zone 69 corresponding inconfiguration and location to the spotter mirror 50. The inner glass 60is mounted in the mirror receptacle 44 so that the rear face 62 with thereflective layer 67 is in contact with the reflective element face 32and the perimeter edge 66 is in contact with the perimeter wall 42.

[0057] The electrochromic layer 70 comprises an electrochromic compound,such as an electrochromic gel, capable of darkening in response to thedetection of light from an external light source, such as described inU.S. Pat Nos. 4,902,108 and 4,917,477, which are incorporated herein byreference. The electrochromic layer 70 is conventionally sealed betweenthe inner glass 60 and the outer glass 80. Alternatively, theelectrochromic compound can comprise a color-changing polymer comprisinga generally solid, rather than gel-like, layer.

[0058] The outer glass 80 is a generally plate-like irregularly-shapedpiece of translucent material such as glass or clear plastic having arear face 82, a front face 84, a perimeter edge 86, and an areal shapeidentical to the shape of the inner glass 60. The rear face 82 is incontact with the electrochromic layer 70 “sandwiched” between the innerglass 60 and the outer glass 80. The outer glass 80 is adapted so thatthe perimeter edge 86 is in alignment with the perimeter edge 66 and theperimeter edge 76 for contact with the perimeter wall 42. The outerglass 80, electrochromic layer 70, and inner glass 60 are assembled intothe layered structure in a generally conventional manner well-known inthe industry.

[0059] When the reflective element carrier 30, the spotter mirror 50,the inner glass 60, the electrochromic layer 70, and the outer glass 80are assembled, the reflective element assembly 20 will comprise arearview mirror system 10 having a spotter mirror 50 for eliminating theblind zone typically experienced by a driver utilizing a rearview mirrorwithout a spotter mirror. However, the positioning of the spotter mirror50 behind the electrochromic layer 70 will provide for automatic dimmingof both the rearview mirror and the spotter mirror 50, thereby reducingthe concentrated glare experienced by a driver from a following vehicleusing its headlamps for nighttime driving. Thus, the operator will bealerted to the presence of the following vehicle and will be able toobserve an image of the vehicle unaffected by the high intensity lighttypically reflected from a non-dimming spotter mirror.

[0060] The embodiments shown in exemplary form in FIGS. 9A-14B can becombined with the embodiment described and shown in FIG. 4 to provide arearview mirror system comprising a recognition enhancement deviceeffective for both daytime and nighttime driving.

[0061] While the invention has been specifically described in connectionwith certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood thatthis is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope ofthe appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art willpermit.

1. a vehicular rearview mirror system for indicating to a vehicleoperator the detection of an object in the vehicle's blind zone,comprising: a first reflective element for providing the operator with arearward view; a second reflective element associated with the firstreflective element that is adapted to provide an image to the operatorof the object in the vehicle's blind zone adjacent to the rearward viewwhich is not generally observable by the operator in the rearward view;and a recognition enhancement device associated with at least the secondreflective element for enhancing the operator's recognition of theobject in the vehicle's blind zone, wherein the recognition enhancementdevice is actuated upon detection of the object in the vehicle's blindzone to effectively draw the operator's visual attention to the secondreflective element.
 2. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 1wherein the recognition enhancement device comprises a transmissiondevice for transmitting into the blind zone a signal adapted forreflection from the object.
 3. The vehicular rearview mirror system ofclaim 2 wherein the signal comprises one of an infrared, optical, radar,sonar or ultrasonic signal.
 4. The vehicular rearview mirror system ofclaim 2 wherein the recognition enhancement device comprises a sensingelement for sensing the signal reflected from an object in the blindzone.
 5. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein therecognition enhancement device comprises a signaling device.
 6. Thevehicular rearview mirror system of claim 5 wherein the signaling devicecomprises at least one point-type light.
 7. The vehicular rearviewmirror system of claim 6 wherein the at least one point-type lightcomprises at least one incandescent light.
 8. The vehicular rearviewmirror system of claim 6 wherein the at least one point-type lightcomprises at least one light-emitting diode.
 9. The vehicular rearviewmirror system of claim 5 wherein the signaling device comprises at leastone illuminated signal marker.
 10. The vehicular rearview mirror systemof claim 5 wherein the at least one illuminated signal marker comprisesat least one incandescent light.
 11. The vehicular rearview mirrorsystem of claim 9 wherein the at least one illuminated signal markercomprises at least one light-emitting diode.
 12. The vehicular rearviewmirror system of claim 5 wherein the signaling device comprises at leastone remote display.
 13. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 12wherein the at least one remote display comprises a camera adapted tocapture an image of the object in the vehicle's blind zone and one of acathode ray-type television monitor, a liquid crystal display, or aplasma display for displaying the image of the object.
 14. The vehicularrearview mirror system of claim 5 wherein the signaling device comprisesat least one peripheral signal light extending along the periphery ofthe second reflective element.
 15. The vehicular rearview mirror systemof claim 14 wherein the at least one peripheral signal light comprisesat least one incandescent light.
 16. The vehicular rearview mirrorsystem of claim 14 wherein the at least one peripheral signal lightcomprises at least one light-emitting diode.
 17. The vehicular rearviewmirror system of claim 5 wherein the signaling device comprises anumerical display for indicating the distance separating the vehiclefrom the object.
 18. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 17wherein the numerical display comprises at least one incandescent light.19. The vehicular rearview mirror system of claim 17 wherein thenumerical display comprises at least one light-emitting diode.
 20. Thevehicular rearview mirror system of claim 5 wherein the signaling devicecomprises at least one peripheral signal light extending along theperiphery of the first reflective element.
 21. The vehicular rearviewmirror system of claim 20 wherein the at least one peripheral signallight comprises at least one incandescent light.
 22. The vehicularrearview mirror system of claim 20 wherein the at least one peripheralsignal light comprises at least one light-emitting diode.
 23. Thevehicular rearview mirror system of claim 1 wherein the recognitionenhancement device comprises an electrochromic layer adapted to reducethe intensity of light transmitted from the object and reflected fromthe second reflective element.
 24. The vehicular rearview mirror systemof claim 23 wherein the electrochromic layer is adapted to darken upondetecting light from the object.
 25. The vehicular rearview mirrorsystem of claim 23 wherein the electrochromic layer is adapted to reducethe intensity of light reflected from both the first reflective elementand the second reflective element.